Opening Point Spreads (04/30/13)

A look at some of the opening point spreads around the NFL as well as future odds to win Super Bowl XLVIII.

The NFL does not kickoff for a few more months but the opening point spreads have been posted. Below we look at a few key matchups of interest.

Thursday, September 5th

Baltimore Ravens (+7.5) @ Denver Broncos

The defending champions are not getting much respect as underdogs of more than a touchdown. Baltimore won as 9.5 point dogs in the Divisional Round but that was with Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Anquan Boldin. The Ravens will open on the road, rare for defending Super Bowl Champions.

Opening spreads and results in the season opener for the defending champs since 2005.

Year

Defending SB Champs

Opp/Result

Spread

2005

Patriots

vs. Raiders: 30-20 Win

Patriots -7.5

2006

Steelers

vs. Dolphins: 28-17 Win

Steelers -1

2007

Colts

vs. Saints: 41-10 Win

Colts -5.5

2008

Giants

vs. Redskins: 16-7 Win

Giants -4.5

2009

Steelers

vs. Titans: 13-10 Win

Steelers -6.5

2010

Saints

vs. Vikings: 14-9 Win

Saints -4.5

2011

Packers

vs. Saints: 42-34 Win

Packers -4.5

2012

Giants

vs. Cowboys: 24-17 Loss

Giants -3.5

Notes:

The defending champions have been favored in the previous 8 season openers.

The SB Champion won all of them except 2012.

The average spread was the Super Bowl Champ -4.7 points.

The defending champs' record Against-The-Spread was 6-2.

Sunday, September 8th

Oakland Raiders (+7) @ Indianapolis Colts

A year ago the Colts opened as 10-point underdogs in Week 1. After an 11-5 playoff season, Andrew Luck and the Colts are 7 point favorites at home against the Raiders.

Sunday, September 8th

Green Bay Packers (+4.5) @ San Francisco 49ers

The Packers hosted the 49ers in last year’s season opener as 6 point favorites. Many questioned whether San Francisco could repeat their success from the previous year; a 30-22 victory in Lambeau Field silenced their critics. Green Bay has a chance to spoil San Francisco’s home opener.

Monday, September 9th

Philadelphia Eagles (+6.5) @ Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III could miss the season opener and the Redskins are still 6.5 point favorites against the Eagles on Monday Night Football. Chip Kelly will have his work cut out for him in his NFL debut.

Odds to win Super Bowl XLVIII

The 49ers are the favorites at 6/1 followed by the Broncos (15/2) and Patriots (8/1). Defending Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens are 20/1 while the Minnesota Vikings have the worst odds of any team to make the playoffs last season at 40/1.

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